Anxious wait for Afrika to recover

BLITZBOKKE rugby coach Paul Treu is sweating as he waits for news from his medical staff on whether star playmaker Cecil Afrika will be fit to take his place in his team for the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens at the weekend.

After experiencing their worst tournament in 11 years on the sevens circuit in Dubai last weekend, a fit Afrika would be the ideal tonic to lift the Blitzbokke and reignite their challenge for honours.

Born in Missionvale, Port Elizabeth, Afrika is desperate to play in front of his home fans and show them the form that made him the IRB’s Player of the Year.

Afrika, who did not make the trip to Dubai because of a niggling knee injury, linked up with the squad in Port Elizabeth yesterday and his condition will be assessed by the team’s medical staff later this week.

He did, however, run freely at a lengthy training session yesterday and coach Treu must have been happy with what he saw.

The Blitzbokke will have to hit the ground running in Port Elizabeth because their first opponents on the opening day are the Dubai champions, Samoa, at 11.44am.

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